I realize this is the second book review post in two days, but if you are anything like me, once October 1st rolls around you start writing out those holiday gift and to-do lists, and try to knock some of it off before the hustle and bustle of November and December roll around. Books are always a good gift (in my opinion), so I thought I’d try to feature a few more of our favorites on the bookshelves this month. Pretty soon it will be book fair time (it’s in November – more on that to follow), so if you are local, I’d love for you to visit and maybe get a little bit of your own holiday book shopping done. Around October 1st I also seem to stop purchasing books, and start collecting lists of them to buy through the fair. We need to get our weekly library trips back on the calendar as well – the older one is going through books at a record pace around here. I promise I’ll feature some more of her favorites soon. But it’s picture books that have my heart, and here are two that I love.
I talked a little bit about “Iggy Peck, Architect” here, but I thought I’d bring it up again because there is a new book out from the same author, Andrea Beaty, and the same illustrator, David Roberts.
Iggy is the story of a young boy who shows great architectural promise from an early age – constantly constructing buildings out of found objects. His parents are stunned, but delighted with his creations. We especially love the Gateway Arch made out of pancakes.
And then poor Iggy goes to school and encounters a second grade teacher who despises architecture and she discourages Iggy’s model building practices. But Iggy’s construction skills save the day on an ill-fated field trip, and architecture becomes a celebrated subject in the halls of his elementary school from that day forward.
I love the illustrations in this book – I love the collection of modern houses in Iggy’s neighborhood, the use of mixed media to create the scenes on each page. You’ll recognize iconic furniture pieces throughout the book, and the fashion designs are pretty amazing as well. It’s a terrific rhyming book, and it’s a visual feast. Which made me very excited to see this new book, “Rosie Revere, Engineer” by the same duo.
Young Rosie was a born tinkerer, and as she gets older her inventions become larger and more elaborate. Her efforts are praised in the beginning, but one day an invention of hers draws (well meaning, but still hurtful) laughter from someone she respects, and she’s so discouraged that she gives up her dream of being an engineer and creating her own flying machine. Luckily, Rosie gets a visit from a recognizable figure – a distant relative named Rose, who shares her own notebook that is filled with sketches and notes about famous female inventors and engineers and pilots across time.
Rosie reads the stories of these women, and listens to the wise words of Rose, and realizes that failures are to be expected – even celebrated – and they should fuel the fire for future efforts.
My girls love the ending of this story – where Rosie inspires the rest of her class to start inventing things on their own. You’ll see overlaps of characters between both books, and the final page of inventions is delightful. In both books you’ll find that the characters are initially encouraged in their endeavors, but how easy it is to get discouraged along the way. It’s a good reminder that kids have so much drive and excitement and energy for learning and creating – and if it’s encouraged and celebrated (especially in girls), then magical things can, and do, happen.
I would recommend both of these books for readers between five and ten. Younger ones will also enjoy the pictures and the rhymes. There is so much detail in the illustrations, it’s a delight to read and examine – you’ll find new things each time you open the pages. It’s very easy to jump from these books into nonfiction books about the architects and engineers that are referenced in the pages. “Rosie Revere, Engineer” ties in well with the story of the iconic poster Rosie the Riveter, and also with the history of flight (particularly from the standpoint of women contributors).
Find these titles at your favorite local independent bookstore. Happy reading!
I love when you give book recommendations! These both look delightful! My boys are probably a little young… but I’d love to add these to our library!